Julien Dorol photos blog

I strolled calmly through the streets of a medieval-style city of Nepal. The weather was wet, it would certainly rain. The sun filtered through the cloud layer, spread a soft light golden hue. After a few detours and street corners, I arrived at one of the principal places of the city: a large area paved with red brick courtyard that serves as a Hindu temple that sits proudly at the end of the square.

I stepped forward and imposing front of the old building and see him sitting at the entrance to an odd-looking character. It is a beggar who took up residence at the porch of the temple. It meets my gaze, then, under his thick whitish beard, gives me a smile. I hello, clasping both hands and one, a gesture of welcome, inviting me to settle down on the porch and spend a moment. I accept this invitation and sit at one end of the porch.

From this promontory divine, I watch the excitement of the place and I lost in my thoughts. I watch this scene in the theatrical style that takes some areas of comedy: the children who are fighting kites, dogs who run after goats that wander aimlessly around the square, women dressed sumptuous brightly colored saris, elders who spend time looking, tractor carrying fruits, vegetables, chickens, pottery ... the whole life flashes before my eyes endlessly. I guess there are a few centuries, the same scene is played the same way. An old man sat down near me and stared the sweet effervescence, just to let time slip.

A light rain began to fall eventually. Paving The normally dull and rough appearance, began to shine, reflecting the soft ambient light. The place seemed then drape a fabric woven with gold thread and the pavement shone like ingots sunlight. The atmosphere was amazing, almost unreal. The old man installed by me, as inspired by this peaceful atmosphere, began to hum a traditional tune somewhat melancholy. His voice, eroded by years, was in perfect harmony with the surroundings and made this magic moment. All the elements seemed to have combined to offer me this sublime spectacle. Leaning against the old walls of the temple, I was calm, serene, relaxed and deeply moved by such beauty.

I said then that the beggar had not asked for anything in this porch. It was like this one, like a guardian of the temple, told me:

- "Just take the time to discover what this place has ancestral to show you. Come hear what these walls, laden with hundreds of years of history, you have to pass. Laying roof and observe quietly. "

I would leave the temple completely calm and I respectfully saluted the "gatekeeping" before descending the stairs.

I took a picture of this rather unusual Guardian a few days later. I returned several times under the porch of the temple for me to relax, read, write, think, and the beggar asked me every time the same way.

Sometimes it is good to slow down or even stop. Knowing time letting go without because of the imperative, losing time, we gain much sometimes.

Tags: nepal portrait man , Hindu temple